http://www.tonight.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3253646&fSectionId=396&fSetId=217
36 China Town Murder and motives May 19, 2006 By Debashine Thangevelo Producer: Subhash Ghai Director: Abbas Burmawalla and Mustan Burmawalla Cast: Shahid Kapur, Kareena Kapoor, Isha Koppikar, Upen Patel, Johnny Lever, Paresh Rawal Running time: 2 hours 45 mins Rating: 6/10 The anchor of 36 China Town lies not with the dialogue, but in the deft direction of Abbas and Mustan. While the audience is sure to be glued to their seats trying to figure out whodunnit, they will also be kept amused by the hilarious shenanigans of the "suspects". Although the script lacks substance, the film does have commendable points. For starters, the top-notch cast is engaging in their respective, eccentric roles. And the suspense level never fluctuates in the build-up to the climax. 36 China Town gets underway with Raj (Shahid Kapur) hoping his music video will sway a director to make him the hero in his movie. However, his efforts are futile - he has to first pay one million big ones if he wants to get the part. While trying to figure out his next move, he meets Priya (Kareena Kapoor). Fate smiles on the strangers, who are in need of cash, when they find the missing son of Sonia (Isha Koppikar), the owner of a casino in Goa. They head for Goa to reunite mother and son and claim the reward money. Also en-route to Goa are KK (Johnny Lever), who has a sure-fire plan to make a killing at the casino, and his wife Ruby (Tanaz Currim) as well as Nat (Paresh Rawal), a hotel owner and "reformed" gambler, and his bombshell wife Gracy (Tanaz Currim) . The lives of all these characters, including playboy Rocky (Upen Patel), intertwine when Sonia is killed. Everyone is a suspect as they each had a motive to kill her and it is up to the police investigator (Askhaye Khanna) to figure out who the real culprit is. 36 China Town is a cocktail of Subhash Ghai's sense of humour and Abbas-Mustan's clever, suspenseful direction. While the glossy dance scenes are enter-taining, they are often misplaced. Kapur, oozing with energy, is mind-blowing in the dance scenes; he so has the right moves. Kapur has grown as an actor and wears his versatility well; he is adorable in so many scenes. Khanna is in his element. The female cast doesn't get that much scope and, as such, are passable in their respective roles. After watching this film, I'm afraid I can never look at Rawal in the same way - him in green swimming trunks is not a sight one can easily forget. This film is recommended as a fun night out with the family! -- ---------------------------------------------------------- Frederick 'FN' Noronha | Yahoomessenger: fredericknoronha http://fn.goa-india.org | [EMAIL PROTECTED] Independent Journalist | +91(832)2409490 Cell 9822122436 ---------------------------------------------------------- Photographs from Goa: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fn-goa/popular-views/ _____________________________________________ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)